Wonders of the rabbit hole

We were finishing our hike to a whimsical waterfall when we came across this:

And immediately it reminded me of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Some of my children tumbled right down the rabbit hole, chasing imaginations and giving little else much thought. But one felt trepidations, and stood at the end peeking in towards the light; wondering about the new world waiting the end of the tunnel.

I wonder what it was like when we left our pre-mortal heavenly home and tumbled down the “rabbit hole” to this new world – even Earth. None of us can remember that time of course, for if we did, faith wouldn’t be necessary regarding our purpose or the plan of life … but one thing is for sure:

“Persons enter life through mortal birth and, in due time, disappear through the veil of death. Most of them never sense why we are here. Occasionally, as at the time of birth, we pause in awe of what nature has to say. We see patterns of creation, so ordered and so beautiful as to sponsor deep feelings of reverence and humility. Then, just when we might discover the meaning of life, we are jerked back by the wild, uncontrolled things that humanity is doing to itself.” ~ Boyd K. Packer (“The Mysteries of Life,” October 1983 General Conference)

During our travels in this beautiful and strange world we have opportunities to discover meaning and make decisions about which direction we should go. We all do. It’s a required part of our journey. With the great Plan of Happiness, we can avoid wandering in our Wonderland, feeling as Alice did when she came to a divided path in the forest and asked the Cheshire Cat which direction to take:

“Where do you want to go?” asked the cat.

“I don’t know,” said Alice.

“Then,” said the cat, “it really doesn’t matter, does it?”

I’m so thankful to know where I want to go … because it does matter! I’m thankful to feel pulled by the light at the end of the tunnel. Traveling along, I’m learning much from the journey of experience. I can look behind me and see that I actually have made progress – which is thrilling. I feel like Alice when she says, “I can’t go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.” Yet, naturally, I realize I have a long, long way to go in order to get where I want to be … to become who I want to be … to become like Him.

Thankfully, we don’t have to get there now … we have the eternities for continued progression … but just as this earth life seems to be zipping by ever so quickly, I wonder if forever will too … Alice wondered that.

Alice: How long is forever?
White Rabbit: Sometimes, just one second.

Here’s to progressing at a steady rate, making wise decisions to shape our destiny, and feeling the light at the end of the tunnel. Here’s to finding joys in the wonders of our Wonderland and our journey down the rabbit hole.